Ria Maya Restaurant & Birding Lodge
Turquoise browed Mot Mot in Rio Lagartos
The Mayan word is "Toh" They nest in wells & cenotes.
Birding by boat in the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve.
Magnificent Frigate Birds are rarely seen perched
The Mexican Sheartail lives only in a narrow band along the gulf coast of the Mexico in the Yucatan with a very small population in th state of Veracruz. It is an endangered species.
Flamingos are in Rio Lagartos all year long, with majority of the Yucatan's flock of 40,000 here for mating and nesting starting in April. Large quantities are here throughout the summer.
In the fall and winter the flock disperses along the coast for feeding opportunities, seldom with large concentrations in any one place. The feeding opportunities here insure that we always have flamingos but not enough to support the entire Yucatan flock for the whole year. There are areas along the coast where they disappear completely at times.
MORE FLAMINGO INFORMATION & PHOTOS
Birding on Land
Snowy Egrets
Barbara MacKinnon is the author of ¨Sal A Pararear¨
A Guide to Birds of the Yucatan.The Bird Lists on the website were complied by Barbara MacKinnon
These Storks and Roseate Spoonbills were found at a fresh water wetland near Rio Lagartos during the nesting season. The fresh water wetland is only one of the many habitats that make birding so remarkable here.
¨If you are looking for a one-stop location to see as many birds as possible while visiting the Yucatan Peninsula, the Ría Lagartos Reserve tops the list with 395 birds -70% of all the birds reported for the region.
The reason is simple: diverse habitats that include the sea, coastal dune, scrub, an extensive estuary, salt flats, fresh water wetlands, as well as both dry and humid forest.
On top of that, you have some of the best local bird guides in the region that know just where to find the birds on your “wish list”.
Barbara MacKinnon
New!!!! We Have Three new waterfront rooms for our Bird Watchers,Fishermen and nature tour customers... click here!!!
Birding by boat and on land in the Yucatan
with Diego Nuñez in the Rio Lagartos Bio Reserve.
Discover the incredible birding we have in Rio Lagartos in the Ria Lagartos Bio Reserve.
We are happy and proud to announce that Rio Lagartos Adventures has moved to it's permanent location .(Now "Ria Maya Restaurante and Lodge") !Video View from a drone " Link!We have dining on the second story right on the water. No road or traffic in front.It is quiet and beautiful with the best water view ,food and Lodging in Rio Lagartos.
Here in Rio Lagartos we are well known for the Flamingos that nest and feed in the Ria Lagartos Bio Reserve(a population estimated at 40,000 in the Yucatan).We are also well known for our Flamingo tours at Rio Lagartos Adventures.
Less well known is the incredible birding we have here throughout the year.
If you are an experienced birder with specific birds to add to your lifetime list,a novice or just getting started, we can design your birding to match your skill and interest level.
If you are a photographer/birder we will help you find the species you are looking for and help get you close enough for a a chance at a good shot.
If you are a beginner we can offer bird identification lessons.
Rio Lagartos is best place for bird watching and birding tours
on the Yucatan Peninsula..
Cinnamon Hummingbird
Our launches are a safe and easy way to reach places otherwise impossible. They are stable and have a shallow draft to reach deep into the mangroves.
You can bring extra clothing, a lunch(we will prepare it)bird books and camera gear without effort.
Birding by boat makes it possible for people with physical challenges have some great birding.
For photos and a list of the birds commonly seen on boat trips.
see Boat birding.
Rio Lagartos has good choices for lodging, fresh seafood caught locally and friendly people. We have a new birding and fishing lodge ¨RIA MAYA¨lodge and restaurant that is just feet from the water. Ria Maya Restaurant is a second story palapa roofed restaurant with the best sunsets and views (we think in the Yucatan). We built the rooms for our birding and fly fishing customers.We offer discounts when you book a room and tours.
Rio Lagartos is not close enough to Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Merida to make day birding trips practical. The three hours driving time each way makes for a very long day with more driving than birding).
We have such a remarkable variety of species and habitats that is easy to spend several days. If you look at our birding packages you will get an idea of the possibilities.
I hope you can join us for some great birding in Rio Lagartos!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions as you plan your birding trip.
Diego Nuñez CONTACT US
A Roseatte Spoon bill and a Woodstork in a shared nesting nesting area near Rio Lagartos. Yucatan
A Mexican Sheartail female with 1 week old chicks.The Mexican Sheartails are an endangered species and semi endemic to the Yucatan. They have a very narrow habitat along the gulf coast.
Young Roseatte Spoonbill with Tiger Heron Chicks
Boat Billed Heron with chicks
Birding in Rio Lagartos ,Yucatan With Diego Nuñez
Second floor views from our new "Restaurante "Ria Maya"The restaurant is palapa roofed with an unobstructed view of the estuary..We have the best sunsets and view Now we have 3 new double rooms at Ria Maya Birding and Fishing Lodge.
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